Whisky raises £15K for Japan

The bottle of Scotch whisky being auctioned, The Generations Glenlivet, to raise money for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan has raised £15,000.

The 70-year-old malt was gifted by Elgin-based whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail, and was auctioned at Bonhams in Edinburgh.

The buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous, was said to want to donate the whisky to the people of Japan.

Proceeds will be donated to the British Red Cross Japan Appeal.

The idea to auction the whisky, which was distilled in 1940, came from Gordon & MacPhail’s joint managing director Michael Urquhart. He had been due to fly to Japan to launch the whisky when the tragedy struck.

Says Michael, “Gordon & MacPhail has had trading relationships with Japan for over 30 years and members of our family-owned business felt it was important to show our support and raise funds to aid the relief.

“I think we all feel helpless in the face of a tragedy like this so it is good to be able to do something practical.”